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August 18, 2010

Technology Transfer: 25 Years At Baylor College Of Medicine

by Sam Savage

Technology transfer has been an important function at Baylor College of Medicine for more than two decades but its impact has been felt well beyond the halls and labs of BCM.

Technology transfer "“ the process of transferring research results and discoveries developed by Baylor College of Medicine faculty to the marketplace "“ has also left its mark on patients and public health.

"There has been a benefit to so many patients and to public health in general from the creation of new products, whether in the health care field or research market," said Lynne Schaefer, director of the Baylor Licensing Group, the office in charge of technology transfer.

More than 200 products

More than 200 diagnostic, clinical and research products have reached the market based on BCM technology, according to Schaefer.

These innovations include the development about 20 years ago of the Baylor BRAT "“ or Baylor Rapid Autologous System "“ a device that improved blood processing during surgeries that involve extreme blood loss, like the aortic aneurysm.

More recent Baylor College of Medicine technology includes antimicrobial coating for catheters and other devices developed by Dr. Rabih Darouiche, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at BCM, and his colleague at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Issam Raad.

This coating helps reduce hospital acquired infections that can occur with central venous catheters and other implantable devices.

$100 million gross income

BCM discoveries have generated more than $100 million of gross income. Of that, more than $26 million went to inventors, almost $19 million to departments and more than $22 million was retained by the college to support BCM's research endeavors.